Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

To think DD is just fine with a bike ride of this length?

38 replies

AwkwardMary · 24/03/2012 10:12

She is 7 and we have begun to ride to school in the mornings...it is three miles down a country lane and we ride along with 3 other familys who have children who are older.

My sister said I was "very cruel" to make DD ride 6 miles a day. DD really likes the ride and it seems to help her wth confidence....she ad the other DC all ride very well and have fun....the fresh air is good...the excersise is good...yes we have to leave earlier than usual but I am adamant that this is a better way.

If it were very cold or wet then we would drive of course...am IBU to "make" my DD do this? She's not very big fo her age and I think my sis thinks that means she's not strong enough...

OP posts:

RedHelenB · 24/03/2012 10:13

If she enjoys it what's the problem?

Jinsei · 24/03/2012 10:16

Yanbu. It might be too much for some children, but you know your dd and you think she is ok with it. Your sister should butt out.

Pontouf · 24/03/2012 10:16

I think it's brilliant. If your DD isn't struggling with it (not tired when she gets to school etc) and she enjoys it then I think you're doing a great thing. The exercise will be really good for her too. I think you're being a good mum!

ChippingInNeedsCoffee · 24/03/2012 10:20

Cycling 3 miles - this is cruel? Jesus wept your sister is being pathetic. I would expect any (healthy, able bodied) child to be able to do this. Easily. I would be worried if they couldn't.

Original poster

AwkwardMary · 24/03/2012 10:20

I asked DD and she never said she wasn't keen...she just said "Ok"....it's quite a distance but were not in any clubs such as sports because of the cost and she's a bit too young to go riding around the area for excercise isn't she? The other kids spur her on in races and generally look out for her...the adults go at the front and back so its safe.

OP posts:

Original poster

AwkwardMary · 24/03/2012 10:21

Thank you chipping my sister it should be noted does not let her own DDs out of the garden despite there being a VAST expanse of countrysiide on her doorstep and the grls are 10 and 12.

OP posts:

NanetteCarter · 24/03/2012 10:25

Of course it's fine! My DS1 - also 7 - rides for 14 miles when we follow one of our local traffic free routes. We stop and picnic/snack before we head back to give him a boost.

I'd love for him to ride to school but being a WOHM we don't have time...

WhenDoISleep · 24/03/2012 10:33

Sounds fantastic to me. It will give her a nice burst of exercise before school and the same afterwards, to help relieve being in a stuffy classroom - particularly as we get more into the summer. Does she have a drink etc. that she can have when she gets to school? And maybe a wipe to freshen up if she feels a bit hot/sticky?

You have an alternative for bad weather scenarios, so its not like she will be cycling through a lashing gale or 10ft snow.

Your sister sounds terribly overprotective of her DC's, whilst you are giving yours freedom

startail · 24/03/2012 10:33

The little girl next door use to walk that far several mornings a week to get her bus to Pre school. So I guess she's was 3.

I've cycled the same trip to school a few times, but my then 10/11yo raced ahead of her 7/8yo sister and it was a bit hairy with only on adult.

Also I was too lazy to like doing the return trips

I can't see any problem with two adults and DCs who cycle a lot, you'd very quickly get used to 3 miles. I'm just lazy.

ComposHat · 24/03/2012 10:34

How is a moderate cycle ride more 'cruel' than having a child sat on their backside in the back of a car breathing in whatever muck gets blown out of car exhausts?

I think the op is setting a great example and she should ignore her daft and ill informed sister.

IndridCold · 24/03/2012 10:40

God, it sounds the perfect way to start the day, a group of happy people cycling along a country lane!

YANBU, but your sister is, I'm sorry to say, bonkers. It's no wonder there is such a problem with childhood obesity with attitudes like that.

Original poster

AwkwardMary · 24/03/2012 10:43

Startail it IS a bit hairy when the DC whizz off up the front and we're all shouting at them to come back....we dont mind as long as they're in view....but I worry they'll have a fall. WhendoIsleep I thought that the air and activity would get their brains going iyswim and DD DOES seem more cheerful generally.

OP posts:

ComposHat · 24/03/2012 10:44

Three miles on a bike even with little ones doesn't take that much time or indeed effort if its relatively flat.

wintersnight · 24/03/2012 10:45

I think people who don't cycle don't realise that unless it's very hilly or you're racing cycling is far easier than walking. I would say cycling 6 miles is less effort than walking 2 and no one could object to a 7 year walking 2 miles a day.

Original poster

AwkwardMary · 24/03/2012 10:46

Indrid my face was more like than on the first day...I'm quite unfit!

OP posts:

LesAnimaux · 24/03/2012 10:46

Well, if it were too much for her, and she weren't strong enough, she soon would be.

Personally I wouldn't want to be you doing 12 miles a day, but then I'm lazy.

Original poster

AwkwardMary · 24/03/2012 10:47

winter it IS easier! We walked it once and it took AGES....on bikes its about 20 mins.

OP posts:

fussbucket · 24/03/2012 10:48

Oh how I wish the first mile of the school run journey wasn't up a steep hill that's also an A class road with no pavement, then I'd have saved an eyewatering amount of petrol. YANBU at all, fantastic. And your sister is a silly moo. (So's mine btw but that's a whole other thread)

Original poster

AwkwardMary · 24/03/2012 10:48

LesAnimaux I know! I couldn't do both ways on the 2nd day....I managed the taking them but not the pick up....DH did it with the group instead....I figure I'll get stronger though. And 12 miles a day should get rid of my saddle bags!

My stomach muscles hurt too which is a good sign!

OP posts:

Original poster

AwkwardMary · 24/03/2012 10:50

Fuss we found the lane by accident....otherwise it's a dual carriageway...the lane is perfectly flat apart from one uphill bit at the end.

OP posts:

Bunbaker · 24/03/2012 10:50

I'm quite jealous that your DD will ride her bike to school. DD has never been interested in cycling and I love it. We live near a really good cycling track, but DD just won't get on her bike. She did her bikeability stages 1 and 2 in year 5 and passed, but is still not interested.

I had hoped that DD and I would spend our evenings and other free time cycling together, but it has come to nothing.

ComposHat · 24/03/2012 10:51

20 mins isn't bad at all for that sort of distance. Does she leave her bike at school it do you have to trail it back with you?

The one thing I would day in winter is that lights and a high viz vest ate a must for dusk: I hate riding in the terror twilight.

JasperJohns · 24/03/2012 10:51

I think it's great. In the old days - no-one would have batted an eyelid.

Y5 at our school just did their 'Bikeability' course - 4 out of the class didn't participate because they can't ride a bike! A bit sad, I thought.

Original poster

AwkwardMary · 24/03/2012 10:54

Bun How old is dd though? Mne wasn't into it until recently...you could bribe her?

Compos we can leave their bikes...and we have hi vis jackets for all the dc...I should get her on a bikeability course really shouldn't I?

OP posts:

IndridCold · 24/03/2012 10:55

You should really notice the improvement in fitness in a couple of weeks Awkward. I lost a stone when I took up cycling a few years ago, and I'm not exactly Victoria Pendleton .

Flip

1 2